DOZENS of firefighters are dealing with a major blaze in a disused shop.

The former Focus DIY building in Hickman Avenue, Highams Park, has been on fire since just after 3pm.

Four police cars and 50 firefighters with ten fire engines are at the scene with paramedics and a helicopter is also circling above.

Witnesses described seeing huge plumes of black smoke.

Eyewitness Elysia Parkin, 34, of East View in HIghams Park said: “The first I noticed, I saw a very light cloud of smoke, almost like clouds, above Focus, about an hour ago (3pm).

“It got blacker and blacker. I work from home and I was looking out of the window, thinking it didn’t look like clouds.

“From what I can see, it’s coming from Focus and the area where they’re building Tesco.”

The blaze is believed to have started at the front of the building, which is now completely on fire.

There are no reports of injuries or people being evacuated from the surrounding area.

The scene of the blaze is close to the site of a major Tesco development.

Larkshall Road is currently closed due to poor visibility.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.